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We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

As the president
of A.E. Grier Funeral & Sons Funeral Ceremony of Choice,
2310 Statesville Avenue, he’s the backbone of the funeral business.

“I get enjoyment out of pleasing the families that I
serve,” A.E. Grier, Jr. said. “When they are pleased, then I’m happy.” Gene
Grier followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and grew
up in the funeral business that was originally constructed in 1930 in the First Ward Community known as the "Brooklyn' area of Charlotte during that time.

A.E. Grier & Sons Funeral Ceremony of Choice is family owned by the Grier family, is
not to be confused with Grier Funeral Service, Inc. a corporation that was once run by the family. A. E. Grier & Sons was later formed by A. E. Grier Jr. and his sons after transitioning from breaking away from the Grier Funeral Home Corporation. The 72 year-old works with his two
sons, Arthur E. Grier, III "Artie" and Allen E. Grier. Grier’s oldest son Anthony Eugene, passed
in 1998 and he too was an intricate part of the industry.

“I enjoy working with my sons. They’ve been around
the business since they were toddlers,” Grier, Jr. said. “I never got to work
with my father, but I did get to work with my grandfather.” Grier’s father, who was also in the funeral
business, died when he was in high school, but his sons have the
opportunity to work alongside him.

Initially, Arthur E. Grier, Jr. wanted to become a football or
basketball coach; after playing football and basketball at Second Ward High School. He attended Florida A&M
University for three years before entering the Army and then on
to mortuary school in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Grier’s grandfather, who initially owned a grocery
store and gas station across from his home in Charlotte, was also one of
the city’s first successful minority businessmen and he helped build the
Grier Heights neighborhood, which was once called "Grier Town". ” George Wallace, former executive director of the
Grier Heights Economic Foundation, said: "Along with (Grier’s) father
there were four or five people who initially started the neighborhood.”
Wallace and Grier grew up together and have been lifelong friends.
“There is a lineage that exist when it comes to A.E. Grier, Jr. and the
funeral business,” Wallace said. “It’s well thought of that a family
business is still remaining after three generations. A.E. Grier Jr. is a real talented restoretive
artist.”

A.E. Grier remembers the first time he embalmed more than
four decades ago, when a neighbor was struck and killed by a car. “It
was during my apprenticeship, I told my instructor I was going to
embalm” the remains solo Grier said. “I made sure that gentleman was embalmed properly and
from there on I got my confidence.”

Because of two back surgeries, A.E. Grier, Jr. now mostly assists with family consultations.

A. E. Grier & Sons family has serviced families of baseball legend Hank Aaron, former heavyweight champ boxer Mike Tyson, NFL's Rhonde and Tiki Barber, and grammy award winner Anthony Hamilton. We serve each and every family the same as we would our own.

A. Eugene Grier, Jr, who is preparing his two sons to continue
on the legacy into the fourth generation, said he meets all kinds of interesting people in this
industry. “There’s a certain person for everything,” Grier said about
choosing his career. “I had to learn how to deal with people and
bereavement... but when families get that personal feel and
satisfaction, then they know I care.” - Charlotte Post Article Revised